Why it isn't talked about? Because it has just flat gotten out paced by advancements in cartridge design, and by the cool factor. Make no mistake though the old 06 is every bit as capable as it was when I was following my pops around the mountains. If a guy ever wants to know just what the 06 is capable of, make a pot of coffee, and do some research you'll be reading for a while. No other cartridge has ever set as many records as the old 06 has to it's credit, sure some of em have fallen, but the 06 set em first. Now that I made it sound like I drink from the 06 coolaid pitcher, I don't, I don't have one, never owned one either. But I do have a lot of respect for that round, which is time proven to be one helluva round.

X2!! If I had ANY reason to own a "larger" bore rifle for hunting...an "06" would be in my stable.

If the gun shop was like a car dealership you could still buy a 1976 f100 with a strait six and three on the column right next to a 2013 f150 with an ecoboost motor. Both will set you back $40,000. Both will haul a load .

No other cartridge has ever set as many records as the old 06 has to it's credit, sure some of em have fallen, but the 06 set em first.

Of course, the .30-06 set them first. No other cartridge was used for virtually 100% of the NRA courses of fire from 1906 to 1935. Since then, they've all fallen as other cartridges were allowed.

First ones to fall in shoulder fired rifle matches were the long range ones trounced in 1935 by the .300 H&H Mag. Others further trounced at long range up to the present were done so by other cartridges starting with other 30 caliber magnums in the late 1950's. Starting in 1963, all the others were trounced by the .308 Win. in the next couple of years. The .308's superior accuracy is the reason the NRA reduced the target scoring ring diameters; too many unbreakable ties were fired.

If you add up all the newer courses of fire in competition added since 1963 and check the record scores fired in each with all allowed cartridges, you'll see the .308 has set more records than any of the others to date. But the 22, 24 and 26 caliber ones have began eating away at the .308's record for a few years. Only at the longest ranges does the .308 remain the cartridge of choice for most shoulder fired matches.

I've always hunted elk/deer elk same season and for many years here if you wanted to hunt deer had to do same season as your elk tag. When they change it so you could hunt deer separate I started having some deer rifles build and I own couple 30-06. One of the 30-06 I'll use if drawn for late cow tag.

I know when I moved here 70's they were having problems with party killing on elk/deer and they started enforcing he who kills it tags it. If you don't get your elk down and he runs by another hunter and he drops him guess what he tags him.

I hunt public land so if it's a OTC bull tag I'll hunt with a mag and if it's a draw bull tag I'll take the mag and I may take 280AI hunt with that few days.

I do agree with Mike that this is a long range hunting site and it was nice back then because we all had the same interest. Site has changed over the years.

I really aprreciate everyones input, and to be honest, you all have taught me a lot in just these few pages of posts. For that I thank you, and I am reconsidering chambering my build in 30-06. So now I have to ask, what are some other cartridges that would optimise my performance, and still fall into my bigger than 308 but not a magnum requirement?

I am assuming this is for hunting so how about a smaller diameter bullet but tbe same 168gr to 180gr weight range ? Same or less recoil on your end and more energy at 1000 yards. The reason the 7mm is so popular with long range shooters is that it delivers enough energy at 1000 yards to dependably kill elk on down while still being comfortable to shoot without a brake.
I would look to the 284 win , 280 ai , 7mm saum , or 7mm wsm. I shoot a 7mm wsm and it is at the upper limit of my recoil tolerance but the first two would be solid performer with a 168gr or 180gr vld. If you are more comfortable with the '06 case family the 280 ai is a winner.